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<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Confusion over H1N1 protocol
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>SIA cabin crew unsure if they can wear masks or gloves on flights </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Nicholas Yong
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
</TD><TD vAlign=bottom>
ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THERE is some confusion among Singapore Airlines cabin crew about procedures to help protect them from suspected H1N1 flu cases.
This comes after an SIA stewardess became the first cabin crew member to be infected with Influenza A (H1N1), raising the issue of whether airlines are doing enough to protect their cabin staff.
<TABLE width=200 align=left valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD class=padr8><!-- Vodcast --><!-- Background Story -->RELATED LINKS
<!-- Audio --><!-- Video --><!-- PDF -->
THE FLU TRAIL
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The 22-year-old was on the same flight as three other confirmed cases in Singapore who flew in from New York on June 1. Of the 18 confirmed H1N1 cases here so far, all but one were infected after travelling overseas.
An SIA stewardess recounted her experience on a recent flight to the United States, when she and her colleagues wanted to wear masks to protect themselves.
The 24-year-old, who spoke to The Straits Times on condition of anonymity, said her supervisors discouraged them from doing so, as it would not look good for the company's image. Other attendants from the airline added that they had been given similar instructions, or had heard as much from their colleagues.
In response to queries, an SIA spokesman noted that the health authorities currently do not require cabin crew to wear masks or gloves if there are no suspected H1N1 cases on board.
When asked if SIA's flight attendants are allowed to don protective gear should they so choose, he stressed that they are allowed to do so. He added that the airline will be clarifying this point with its staff as there had been a 'misunderstanding'.
During the Sars crisis in 2003, the airline had initially sent out a directive that crew in uniform were not allowed to wear protective masks on board flights or on the ground, unless they were dealing directly with a passenger suspected of having Sars.
In response to concerns from passengers and crew, this was soon reversed to allow crew members to wear masks on flights to and from Sars-affected areas.
Measures in place for H1N1 seem to be similarly inconsistent among other carriers. Japan's All Nippon Airways encourages staff to wear masks throughout inbound flights departing from US airports. But Cathay Pacific gives its staff the choice to wear a mask.
British Airways requests its staff not to wear masks during flights, though the equipment is available for dealing with suspected cases on board.
SIA cabin crew members told ST their job scope often involves cleaning and clearing up, which can increase their risk of exposure.
'Our job is front-line, so we have a higher risk of getting the flu. If the company is not protecting us, we will have a higher risk of getting the flu,' said a 25-year-old flight attendant who has been flying for about two years.
But others do not appear to be as concerned. A 26-year-old steward, who was among the first cabin crew members here to come into contact with H1N1 cases on board a flight, said he trusts that his employers know what they are doing: '(SIA) is very experienced in a lot of things it does. For me, I'm scared. But H1N1 is not as deadly as Sars, so it's fine.'
SIA Staff Union president Alan Tan said wearing masks was an 'individual decision' for crew members. He added that it would be 'unfair' to ask them not to wear masks and expose themselves to risk.
But Mr Tan also stressed the need to strike a balance: 'Can you imagine if everyone from cabin crew to immigration to taxi drivers started wearing masks? No one would want to come to Singapore.' [email protected]
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Confusion over H1N1 protocol
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>SIA cabin crew unsure if they can wear masks or gloves on flights </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Nicholas Yong
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THERE is some confusion among Singapore Airlines cabin crew about procedures to help protect them from suspected H1N1 flu cases.
This comes after an SIA stewardess became the first cabin crew member to be infected with Influenza A (H1N1), raising the issue of whether airlines are doing enough to protect their cabin staff.
<TABLE width=200 align=left valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD class=padr8><!-- Vodcast --><!-- Background Story -->RELATED LINKS
<!-- Audio --><!-- Video --><!-- PDF -->
<!-- Photo Gallery -->
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The 22-year-old was on the same flight as three other confirmed cases in Singapore who flew in from New York on June 1. Of the 18 confirmed H1N1 cases here so far, all but one were infected after travelling overseas.
An SIA stewardess recounted her experience on a recent flight to the United States, when she and her colleagues wanted to wear masks to protect themselves.
The 24-year-old, who spoke to The Straits Times on condition of anonymity, said her supervisors discouraged them from doing so, as it would not look good for the company's image. Other attendants from the airline added that they had been given similar instructions, or had heard as much from their colleagues.
In response to queries, an SIA spokesman noted that the health authorities currently do not require cabin crew to wear masks or gloves if there are no suspected H1N1 cases on board.
When asked if SIA's flight attendants are allowed to don protective gear should they so choose, he stressed that they are allowed to do so. He added that the airline will be clarifying this point with its staff as there had been a 'misunderstanding'.
During the Sars crisis in 2003, the airline had initially sent out a directive that crew in uniform were not allowed to wear protective masks on board flights or on the ground, unless they were dealing directly with a passenger suspected of having Sars.
In response to concerns from passengers and crew, this was soon reversed to allow crew members to wear masks on flights to and from Sars-affected areas.
Measures in place for H1N1 seem to be similarly inconsistent among other carriers. Japan's All Nippon Airways encourages staff to wear masks throughout inbound flights departing from US airports. But Cathay Pacific gives its staff the choice to wear a mask.
British Airways requests its staff not to wear masks during flights, though the equipment is available for dealing with suspected cases on board.
SIA cabin crew members told ST their job scope often involves cleaning and clearing up, which can increase their risk of exposure.
'Our job is front-line, so we have a higher risk of getting the flu. If the company is not protecting us, we will have a higher risk of getting the flu,' said a 25-year-old flight attendant who has been flying for about two years.
But others do not appear to be as concerned. A 26-year-old steward, who was among the first cabin crew members here to come into contact with H1N1 cases on board a flight, said he trusts that his employers know what they are doing: '(SIA) is very experienced in a lot of things it does. For me, I'm scared. But H1N1 is not as deadly as Sars, so it's fine.'
SIA Staff Union president Alan Tan said wearing masks was an 'individual decision' for crew members. He added that it would be 'unfair' to ask them not to wear masks and expose themselves to risk.
But Mr Tan also stressed the need to strike a balance: 'Can you imagine if everyone from cabin crew to immigration to taxi drivers started wearing masks? No one would want to come to Singapore.' [email protected]
